Spread the love!

Sonoma, California: The Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit (That Aren’t Just Wine Tasting)

Sonoma County holds over 425 of the wineries out there and they are all of them still working. The Mission San Francisco Solano was founded right the whole way back in the year of 1823. Sonoma County runs more than 55 whole miles of the coastline right out there on it. The Sonoma City Hall out there was built back in the year 1908. Watch them work.

So you are going to Sonoma, California and you want to know where to point yourself. Sonoma County has more than a week’s worth of it. Wineries at one end and outdoor country at the other, and somebody’s hands behind most of it.

Wine people are well served in Sonoma. With over 425 wineries, the region is known for award-winning wine, working vineyards and tasting rooms. If wine is not your thing, Sonoma also carries historic sites, the Sonoma Plaza, the Sonoma Mission and the Jack London State Historic Park among them.

There is more again. Sonoma runs a shopping and dining scene of boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. And there are quiet corners here that people miss entirely. Pack the bags and get out to Sonoma, California.

Key Takeaways

• Sipping through Sonoma’s wineries is a must-do activity.
• Exploring the historic sites in Sonoma is a great way to learn about the area’s rich history.
• Sonoma’s shopping and dining scene is top-notch, and there are plenty of hidden gems to discover.

Sipping Through Sonoma’s Wineries

You are in Sonoma, the heart of wine country, where the vineyards run to the horizon. With over 425 wineries in the region, picking where to start is the hard part. Here is how to work through Sonoma’s wineries.

Vineyard Vistas

In wine tasting the setting counts as much as the glass. Sonoma’s wineries hold some of the better vineyard views anywhere. Rolling hills through to valleys, and the view changes at every gate.

Aperture Winery faces west over a vineyard and low mountains. Chateau St. Jean puts you among gardens and fountains while you drink. For something different, Balletto Vineyards runs a self-guided vineyard tour and you taste standing among the vines.

Tasting Rooms Tips

Wine tasting can feel intimidating and it does not need to. Here is how to get the most out of a tasting room.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions. The staff at tasting rooms are there to help you, so feel free to ask them anything about the wine or the winery.
• Take your time. Savor each sip and take in the flavors and aromas of the wine.
• Try something new. Don’t just stick to your favorite grape varietals. Sonoma has a wide range of wines to offer, from Pinot Noir to Chardonnay and everything in between.
• Join a wine club. Many wineries offer wine clubs, which give you exclusive access to limited edition wines, discounts, and special events.

Wine Tour Wonders

To take the tasting further, go on a wine tour. You taste some of the strongest wine in the region and you pick up the winemaking process and the history of Sonoma’s wine country with it.

There is a range of wine tours here, by bike, by hot air balloon or by luxury limousine. Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley and Platypus Wine Tours are the two most people name.

So take a glass and work through Sonoma’s wineries. The vineyard views, the tasting room and the tours together make this the place to drink well.

Exploring the Historic Sites

Sonoma carries a long history, from the Spanish missionaries through to the Gold Rush. There is plenty to see and understand in this town. These are the historic sites to visit in Sonoma.

Park Prowling

Sonoma holds several parks and each has its own history. Jack London State Historic Park is the popular one. It was once the home of the author Jack London and it is now a National Historic Landmark. Take a tour of London’s cottage for his life and his work. The park also runs hiking trails with the countryside laid out around them.

Sonoma State Historic Park is the other one. It sits in the heart of the city and holds several historic buildings, the Mission San Francisco Solano and the Sonoma Barracks among them. The guided tour covers the history of the area and the original buildings, which date to the early 1800s.

Landmarks Love

Landmark people do well in Sonoma. The Sonoma Plaza is the most recognizable of them, a public square ringed by historic buildings and good ground for sitting and watching. The Sonoma City Hall is the other, built in 1908 as a serious piece of Beaux-Arts architecture.

The Spanish mission in Sonoma is the other landmark. The Mission San Francisco Solano was founded in 1823. It is the last and northernmost of the 21 California missions. The tour covers the history of the Spanish missionaries who founded it.

So there is plenty of history in Sonoma. Parks, landmarks or the Spanish missions, this town carries all three. Take the walking shoes and go back a couple of centuries.

Outdoor Adventures in Sonoma

Sonoma County suits outdoor people. Beach person, hiker or wildlife person, there is a day here for you. These are the outdoor options in this region.

Beach Bumming

With more than 55 miles of coastline, Sonoma County holds some of the better beaches in California. The rugged cliffs of Bodega Bay through to the sandy shore at Jenner, there is a beach that fits the mood. For somewhere quiet, Goat Rock Beach, where harbor seals and whales work the Pacific Ocean. For an active day, surfing or paddleboarding at Salmon Creek Beach. And with a dog, Doran Regional Park, where dogs are welcome on the sand.

Hiking Heaven

Sonoma County runs some of the strongest hiking in Northern California. The redwood forests of Armstrong Woods through to the mountains of Sugarloaf Ridge State Park, there is a trail at every level. For a family walk, the Kortum Trail, with the Sonoma Coast in view. For something hard, hike to the top of Mount Saint Helena, the highest peak in the region. And for something with no equivalent, Safari West, where you hike among giraffes and rhinos and cheetahs.

Wildlife Wandering

Sonoma County holds a lot of wildlife, from whales and seals through to lemurs and zebras. The Russian River is where to start, on a kayak or a canoe, watching for river otters and bald eagles. For the exotic version, Safari West runs a guided jeep tour past giraffes and rhinos and zebras. And for whales, take a whale-watching tour out of Bodega Bay, where humpback and gray whales migrate along the coast.

Sonoma County works for outdoor people. A slow day on the beach, a hard hike or a wildlife tour, all three are here. Pack the bags and the boots and go.

The Olive Press out there runs the tastings and The Olive House runs the whole Olive Oil 101 class. Cline Cellars will let you stomp the grapes with your own feet during the harvest. Balletto Vineyards runs a self-guided tour right out among the whole of the vines. Somebody’s hands made all of it.

Sonoma’s Shopping and Dining Scene

Looking for a break from tasting rooms and vineyards, Sonoma’s shopping and dining scene will hold you. Farm-to-table kitchens through to artisanal shops, there is plenty to see and taste and buy in this town. These are the highlights.

Market Madness

Farmers market people do well in Sonoma. The Sonoma Plaza Farmers Market is the local favorite, running fresh produce, artisanal cheeses and homemade baked goods. It costs nothing to browse. Bring cash if you want to buy. The Healdsburg Farmers Market is further out and worth the drive if you take this seriously.

Foodie Finds

Sonoma is not short of good eating. For a cheese board that reorganizes your expectations, the Sonoma Cheese Factory. They carry cheese from around the world alongside local ones like the Sonoma Jack. For something sweet, the Basque Boulangerie Cafe and its pastries. And for the full version, take a food tour with Sonoma Food Tour and eat through the farm-to-table end of town.

Olive Oil Odyssey

And do not miss Sonoma’s olive oil. The Olive Press is the one to get to, running tastings of their award-winning oils alongside other gourmet products. For the hands-on version, take an Olive Oil 101 class at The Olive House and learn how the stuff is actually made.

Shopping, eating or a plain walk around, Sonoma has a version of it. Take the wallet and the appetite and go.

Hidden Gems in Sonoma

Sonoma County keeps quiet corners that most visitors never find. Tired of the usual stops, these are the underrated attractions and the experiences worth going out of your way for.

Underrated Attractions

Sonoma is known for its headline attractions and there are quieter spots worth the detour. Jenner is one, a small town at the mouth of the Russian River. It works for kayaking, hiking or simply sitting with the view.

Bodega Bay is the other one people miss, a coastal town known for its fresh seafood. Take a crab sandwich and eat it looking out at the Pacific Ocean.

For something with real weight behind it, visit the Bear Flag Republic. This historic site is where the California Republic was first declared in 1846. The tour covers the state’s history from that point.

Unique Experiences

Sonoma is known for its wine and there is more here than Cabernet Sauvignon. Take a tour of the Jacuzzi Family Vineyards for their Italian heritage and a glass of what it produced.

For an unusual bed, the luxury tent cabins at AutoCamp. These cabins are comfortable and well equipped and they sit in some of the better spots in Sonoma.

During harvest season, take a tour of the Cline Cellars and watch grapes turn into wine. You can stomp them with your own feet, the way it used to be done.

Driving an electric car, Sonoma is well covered. There are plenty of EV charging stations here, Tesla Superchargers among them. You can work the whole region without watching the battery.

For lodging, Sonoma runs the range. A cozy bed and breakfast, a luxurious resort, or a rental car if you are travelling light.

Whatever the interest, Sonoma keeps quiet corners worth finding. Take a map and start walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit all the wineries in Sonoma in one day?

No. Sonoma County holds more than 400 wineries, and at that rate it would take over a year to work through them. Unless you are moving here, take it slowly and let the journey do the work.

What are some free things to do in Sonoma County?

You do not need money for a good day in Sonoma. Hike the trails in Jack London State Historic Park, work through the art galleries in Healdsburg, or take the Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park. The beach, the sunset and a picnic in one of the parks all cost nothing too.

Is it possible to overdose on wine tasting in Sonoma?

You cannot overdose on wine tasting and you can certainly have too much of it. Tasting is not a race. Pace it, drink water and eat something. You are also here for the country and the culture of Sonoma, so slow down and take those in as well.

What are the top 3 most beautiful wineries in Sonoma?

Beauty is a personal matter and these are our Instagram-worthy picks. Chateau St. Jean, for the gardens and the vineyards. Ram’s Gate Winery, for the modern architecture and the long views. And Francis Ford Coppola Winery, for the movie memorabilia and the Italian-style piazza. Sonoma has plenty of others, so go and find your own.

What’s the best time to visit Sonoma, besides wine o’clock?

Wine hour is always a good time to be in Sonoma and there are better months than others. Spring gives you the wildflowers and the green hills. Fall gives you the harvest and the changing color. Winter is quiet, with fires and hot cocoa and lights. Summer runs hot and crowded and it is the season for outdoor activity and festivals.

Sonoma or Napa: which one has better Instagram opportunities?

Both Sonoma and Napa run Instagram-worthy spots, from vineyards and wineries through to hot air balloons and hot springs. Sonoma runs more laid-back and rustic. Napa runs more upscale and polished. For something casual and honest, Sonoma. To see and be seen, Napa. Or take both and decide for yourself.

Frequently asked questions about Sonoma, California

Where can you taste the olive oil pressed among the vineyards in Sonoma, California?

The Olive Press out there runs the tastings of the whole of its award-winning olive oils. The Olive House out there runs an Olive Oil 101 class on how the whole of the stuff gets made. The Sonoma Cheese Factory out there carries the local Sonoma Jack among the whole of the range. Taste.

How many wineries are there across the whole of Sonoma County, California?

Sonoma County holds over 425 of the wineries and every single one of them is working out there. Visiting one of them each day would take you well over a whole year to get right through. Sonoma Valley Wine Trolley and Platypus Wine Tours both run the whole of the tours out there. Slowly.

How old is the Mission San Francisco Solano standing in Sonoma, California?

The Mission San Francisco Solano was founded right the whole way back in the year of 1823. It is the last and the northernmost of the whole of the 21 California missions out there. Sonoma State Historic Park out there holds it right alongside the whole Sonoma Barracks. Guided tours.

Spread the love!